Why Fall is OBX Locals' Favorite Season

Fall is welcomed with open arms by both locals and visitors after the hustle and bustle of the summer months on the Outer Banks. It’s no secret that Fall is by far many Outer Banks locals’ favorite season. We can list a plethora of reasons why Fall is our favorite season on the Outer Banks. But we’ve honed in on our top five.

1. No Crowds on the Beaches 2. It's Perfect Golf Weather 3. Epic Sunrises and Sunsets 4. Local Events 5. Fall Rates

1. No Crowds on the Beaches

Have you ever dreamed of walking up and down a mostly empty beach? It can be downright therapeutic. The ocean stays warm well into the Fall, perfect for a dip in the salty water. The ocean water lapping at your ankles as you pick up countless shells and beach treasures, like whelk, sea glass, driftwood, and mermaid’s purses. Feel the cool sand between your toes, because it’s not 100 degrees out and the sand isn’t scorching hot.

This also means that Fall is the perfect season for pets to frolic on the beach. Cooler sand for paws, a warm ocean for our four-legged kids who like to swim, as well as more relaxed pet regulations on our beaches. There are plenty of non-beach things to do with your pet in the Fall, especially in Duck and Corolla.

No crowds on the beach also means less traffic and much shorter wait times at your favorite Outer Banks restaurants. Local chefs tend to get more creative with their specials this time of year, giving diners an opportunity to try something new.

2. It’s Perfect Golf Weather

The weather on the Outer Banks doesn’t get much better than in the Fall. While the temperatures inland are cooling off enough for sweaters and boots, we normally experience an “Indian Summer” here on the Outer Banks. Warm temperatures coupled with dry weather give us days that are sunny, clear, and perfect for playing golf. Clemson Women’s Golf team member and Outer Banks native Katherine Schuster has all of the insider information on Outer Banks golf courses.

Our favorite course in the area is Kilmarlic Golf Club, located just over the Wright Memorial Bridge in Currituck. Definitely don’t worry about bridge traffic during the Fall! It’s a breeze getting from the beach to Kilmarlic and back.

Set in 605 acres of maritime forest and coastal wetlands, you’ll play among canopies of giant oak trees, pine trees, and dogwood. The beautiful course is often praised for consistently being in tournament playing condition. Kilmarlic’s course offers a challenging layout as well as natural coastal beauty.

The Pointe Golf Club is another great Outer Banks golf course choice and we’ve got the inside scoop on all the reasons to love it.

3. Epic Sunrises and Sunsets

There’s something magical about Outer Banks sunrises and sunsets during the Fall. They are absolutely breathtaking. Every. Single. Day. Colors that we didn’t know existed appear in the sky on a regular basis. If you follow Twiddy & Company on Facebook, or Instagram, you certainly get a healthy dose of Outer Banks sunrises and sunsets during this time of year (you’re welcome!). Not to mention, Fall evenings give us clear skies with cool breezes — excellent for stargazing after the sun sets for the night. The Twiddy Beach Cam is a great place to catch a beautiful Outer Banks sunrise from home.

4. Local Events

It’s festival season! All kinds of fun events are happening up and down the Outer Banks during the Fall. There are so many things to do on the Outer Banks in September, October, and November.

The Easterns

Fall on the Outer Banks is a swell time for surfers. Local surf contests bring the best surfers on the east coast to the Outer Banks. The largest amateur surfing organization in the world, the Eastern Surfing Association, holds one of their biggest competitions of the year, The Easterns® at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head in mid-September. It’s a great opportunity to watch some amazing athletes in action.

Outer Banks Seafood Festival

Immerse yourself in the local flavor and learn about our coastal culture at the Outer Banks Seafood Festival. Local seafood prepared by local restaurants is the star of the show, but the activities and entertainment, as well as local breweries and wineries, also contribute to the celebration.

Photo courtesy of Duck Jazz Festival.

Duck Jazz Festival

Get your jazz hands ready because the Town of Duck welcomes the Duck Jazz Festival in October. In addition to the all-day concert at Duck Town Park, there are many jazz-themed events happening at businesses throughout the town of Duck.

what to do this fall - bluegrass island festival

Photo courtesy of Bluegrass Island Festival.

OBX Bluegrass Island Festival

The Bluegrass Island Festival is a four-day event that features live music on the Outer Banks. With dozens of artists performing at the beautiful Roanoke Island Festival Park stage, this is quickly becoming a favorite event on the Carolina coastline.

5. Fall Rates

Fall is considered a “shoulder season” on the Outer Banks, which means that rates are lower than the peak rates of summer. This is the perfect time to book that home you’ve been eyeing that has all of the bells and whistles that may not be in your budget during July. This may be the time of year when you can finally stay oceanfront. It’s no secret that the oceanfront is our favorite! Bonus: private pools are generally available until mid-to-late October, so splashing around in the pool can also be on your Fall vacation agenda.

Browse our available homes for your Fall OBX vacation:

Available Homes in September

Available Homes in October

We highly recommend a Fall beach vacation, whatever the reason. Once you’ve experienced the Outer Banks in autumn, we’re certain we’ll see you during the Fall for years to come.

Looking for a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Outer Banks vacation?

A holiday vacation allows families to gather in one location to spend the holiday together, as well as additional quality time the days before and after the holiday.

November 22/23/24

December 20/21/22

December 27/28/29

There are plenty of things to do on the Outer Banks during the holidays. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, Corolla Christmas Village is a festive event that happens every Friday and Saturday night until just before New Year’s Eve. A December getaway can also be a fun and festive way to celebrate before the holidays.

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Top 5 Things to Do This Fall in the Outer Banks